A teenager's ride home took a terrifying turn during a road rage incident.
Ralph Sotelo, 18, said a car started chasing him, and someone started shooting at him. He said it happened around 9:30 p.m. Monday on Billy Graham Parkway near I-85.
Sotelo told NBC Charlotte he honked at the other car after they cut him off. But he never expected it would escalate to a car chase and gunfire.
"I got scared. I think anyone would get scared," he said.
A night out with friends had just ended.
"I was on my way back home," Sotelo explained.
That's when the frightening encounter with strangers began.
"A black Dodge, a black car, it pulled up in front of my car, and I beeped at it," said Sotelo.
He said, before he knew it, the car was following close behind him.
"They got mad, so the guy in the right side in the passenger seat pulled out a gun and fired three times, and there was a chase down the road until I called 911," Sotelo said.
Sotelo didn't know what to do.
"I thank God there were no cars, because I passed two red lights, and they were still following me. It was pretty scary. It was intense," he said.
Sotelo said the ride lasted about three minutes before the other car went a different direction.
"I was by myself; I couldn't defend myself," said the 18-year-old.
The teen said he's glad he remained in the car as dispatchers recommended. Now he wants to send a message to others on the road.
"A life is not a game. Everyone lives once. I thank God nothing happened."
Sotelo was not hurt, and none of the gunshots hit his vehicle.